With at least 59 people killed and more than 500 injured, Sunday night's mass shooting in Las Vegas will go down as one of the darkest moments in U.S. history. But brave first responders and concertgoers-turned-heroes provided a light.

In the early aftermath of the deadliest shooting in the modern American history, witnesses told stories of police officers shielding citizens, military veterans plugging wounds and people turning their trucks into makeshift ambulances.

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At least one Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officer is among the dead and possibly other off-duty officers. More were wounded.

In the face of the danger, officers and first responders quickly responded to the source of the shots, the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino. Breaking into the room, they found 64-year-old Stephen Paddock dead of what they believe was a self-inflicted wound.

President Trump hails first responders

Decrying the "act of pure evil," President Donald Trump hailed the first responders' bravery and speed as he addressed the nation Monday morning.

"I want to thank the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and all of the first responders for their courageous effort and helping to save the lives of so many. The speed with which they acted is miraculous. ... It shows what true professionalism is all about."

After a month filled with tragedies from natural disasters, Trump said he would visit Las Vegas to meet with victims and their families Wednesday. He also ordered all flags to half-mast.

Along with the police, a fleet of ambulances sped through streets normally bustling with people enjoying themselves in one of America's entertainment capitals.

AP

Police at the scene of a deadly shooting in Las Vegas.

'Words can't describe' bravery

A witness described acts of heroism during the shooting and in the immediate aftermath in an interview with NBC: "It was everywhere. Thank God it was a country concert. You saw a lot of ex-military jumping into gear. I saw guys plugging bullet holes with their fingers. I saw police officers, while everyone else was crouching, police officers standing up as targets, just trying to direct people to tell them where to go. The amount of bravery I saw, words can't describe what it was like."

A Clark County commissioner, Steve Siolak, of Las Vegas has set up a GoFundMe with a goal of $500,000 to assist victims of the shooting. He was at the county's only level-one trauma center with the victims and their families as of Monday morning. The money from the Las Vegas Victims' Fund will go to relief and financial support for the victims. Nearly $36,000 was raised of as of 7:30 a.m. local time.